Table of Contents
A Glide for the Median Nerve Glide
By Dr. Matthew Hwu, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS·
Quick answer
A median nerve glide is an exercise that gently moves the median nerve through the arm in a few positions. Stand with your symptomatic arm out to the side, palm down and wrist bent up, elbow straight. Raise the arm until you feel slight tingling. That is the tension position.
From there, do three moves ten times each: shrug your shoulder up and down, bend your wrist back and forth, and tilt your neck away and back. Aim to do it at least three to four times a week.
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| Exercise | A Glide for the Median Nerve |
| Frequency&Duration | 10 Repetitions in Each of the 3 Positions, At least 3-4x/week |

Starting Position
Standing with Wrist Extended and pointing out to the side
Tension Position
Keeping your Wrist bent upward and elbows straight, move your arms out until you feel slight numbness or tingling in your hands
Position 1 : Shoulder Shrug and Depression
From the Tension Position, Shrug your shoulder upwards and downwards. You will feel more tingling when you bring your shoulder downwards. Repeat this motion 10x
Position 2: Wrist Bending
From the Tension Position, Bend your wrists back and forth. You will feel more tingling with your wrists all the way upward. Repeat this mobilization 10x
Position 3: Neck Bending
From the Tension Position (Wrists still bent up), bend your neck away from the arm and back. You will feel more numbness/tingling when you bend your neck away. Repeat this mobilization 10x
About the author
Dr. Matthew Hwu, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Dr. Matthew Hwu earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Western University of Health Sciences and completed an Orthopedic Physical Therapy residency through Kaiser Permanente in Southern California, where he developed a deep clinical foundation in musculoskeletal and overuse injuries.
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